Cable



E. C.- MYERS March 5, 1946.

CABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Dec. 30, 1935 Null,

E. C. MYERS March 5, 1946.

CABLE 3 sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed Deo. 50, 1935 E. C. MYERS March 5, 1945 CABLE Original Filed Dec. 50, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ressued Mar. 5, 1946 cannal v v Edward C. Myers, Wilmette, lll. original No. 2,326,119, dated August 1'o, 1943, se-` rial No. 56,793, December 30, 1935. Application for reissue September 21, 1943, Serial No.

(ci. sos-1o) 24 Claims.

This invention relates to cables and more particularly to cables for rubber covered tracks for crawler type vehicles, conveyors and the like,

belts, cables for elevators and other purposes where the cable is subject to exing as in passing over sheaves.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application for Rubber covered 'flexible tracks, Serial No. 588,722, filed January 25, 1932, which issued December 31, 1935, as Patent No. 2,025,999.

An object of this invention is to provide a rubber covered cable in which the cable is exible, comprising a plurality of strands wherein each oi the strands is made up of a plurality of wires so as to provide a flexible cable and a cable which will be highly resistant to elongation and wherein the rubber covering acts as a lubricant and thereby materially prolongs the life of the cable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable in which the cable comprises a plurality of strands cach consisting of a plurality of wires wherein the rubber covering extends into the cable and locks between the strandsand also with the wires thereof wherein the outer strands are in tight engagement with the central stranded wire core of the cable. The cable is preferably constructed for this purpose with the cuter strand lays in engagement with the central strand but spaced with respect to each other in a so-called loose" lay; steel multi wire multi strand cables, this construction provides tensile strength without elongation and also flexibility.

A further object of the invention comprises the method of producing such rubber covered cables wherein a fluid compound of rubber is flowed under heat and vacuum into the cable so as to adhere to the metal wires thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable for a rubber covered flexible track wherein the track is provided with cross anchor or drive members which are preferably rubber covered and between parts of which the rubber covered cables are secured.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable and rubber covered ilexible tracks with driving members and guide members.

Another object of the invention is to provide such rubber covered cables in tracks, belts and the like which will provide longitudinal iiexiblemembers with a maximum lateral rigidity.

Another object of the invention is to provide cables which will have. high tensile strength with minimum elongation for power transmission and which will operate at high speeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide such rubber covered cables which are particularly adaptable for various applications such as in belts, tracks, conveyors and the like and in their use provide for insulation between the steel cable members and members with which their exterior surface or the surface of a body member compounded therearound will provide an insulating means with respect to cooperating members such as sheaves when applied in belts or metallic cross members as inthe rubber covered track and belt construction and cross members of conveyors. A

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will be set forth in detail in the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and as hereinafter claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation partly in section showing a portion of a track employing rubber covered cables in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an inner plan view thereof partly in section.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one of the cable members.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal detail view partly in section of the cable member.

Figures 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views similar to Figure 4 further illustrating the rubber covered cables.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a. modied driving or anchor cross member showing the manner of applying the rubber covered cables thereto.

` l'ine 9 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view thereof taken on line l0l 0 of Figure 8. Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form of the track showing a portion of a drive wheel.

` Figure 121s a side view of the track shown in Figure 1l partly in longitudinal section.

Figure 13 is a detailed view partly in plan showing a further modified form of the track which like Figures 11 and 12 illustrates guide plates.

belts and the like incorporating rubber covered Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view thereof.

Figure lsisasideelevationtbereofpsrtlyin section.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary section showing the application ofthe rubber covered cables in belts.

Figures 17 and 18 are transverse sectional views of V belts including the cables.

Figure l9isaplanviewshowingafurtherapplication of the rubber covered cable members to slat type conveyors.

Figure 20 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to'Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings.

a portion of an endless rubber covered flexible.

track i isshown mounted onadriving or driven wheel il ofatractordrivewhereintherimof the wheel is provided with inner and outer side flanges!! which engage the sides of track il and teeth i3 at intermediate positions between flanges l2 which engage intermediate drivin'g members Il mounted on cross or anchor members l l withinthebodyofthotracksotbatthedrlvingof the track is along the midway position thereof and in line with or substantially in line with cable members Il.

Cables Il which are rubber covered as hereinafter set forth are preferably wound around forms so esto obtain the required length of the track with the end of a cable secured. as for example by taping it to an adjacent turn as indicatedat llinlllgure2soastomaintainit in place until the track tread body rubber is vulcanizedtothepartsandthewindingisontinued until the required number of turns for the track are obtained when the various ends of the cables are simultaneously secured in place.

Cable Il as shown inFlgures 4 and 5 consists of a plurality of strands I8 surrounding a central strand Is and each strand is formed of a wheels Il are mounted anchormembers I l which are also given a pre-coating of rubber or rubber compound in a manner to closely adhere thereto. Thesedrivingmembersasshowninli'lguresl and 2 have their faces adjacent to the rubber covered lerably provided with intermediate drive members Il mounted on them and'secured in place by means of rivets or the like 24 so that when worn' they may be replaced or exchanged for `other forms of intermediate drive members.

After assembling the cables and cross members thereon the body rubber which is a rubber plurality of metal wires preferably steel so as,

to provide a cable having a high tensile strength yet flexible and adapted for use in such rubber covered tracks, belts, elevator cables and general purposes. As shown, the cable is preferably formed with the outer strands tightly engaging the inner strand but slightly spaced from each other in a manner which will betermed loose lay. These spaces 2li permit rubber to flow in around the outer strands to provide an additional lock for the rubber covering 2| as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

I'he cable is necessarily cleared oi impurity such as dirt, oil and the'like before the rubber covering is added and the spaces 2l allow the rubber to now around the strands to form a lock for the rubber covering in addition to the outer covering thereof. In covering the cables, a uid or rubber compound is impregnated into the cable under heat and in a vacuum so that the air will' be withdrawn and the rubber will impregnate the cable entering the spaces to the central strand and to some extent between the individual wires of the strands so as to lock therewith for holding in addition to the adhesion to the metal. By this coating process, the adhesion is assured and when such rubber covered cables are employed in tracks or belts this pre-coating with the fluid type rubber will readily adhere to the rubber used in the tread of the track or belt surface. After this covering and impregnating of the cables with fluid rubber, the covering may be vulcanized or when used in tracks or belts and this precoating is thin. it has been foundthat it will receive the required vulcanizing when the main tread body rubber is vulcanized.

On' cables I8 at intervals corresponding with the spaces of'the teeth on the driving or driven compound suitable for tread or belting surfaces is forced and molded into place over the assembly being formed so as to provide a series of apertures 21 centrally of the track and is vulcanized to the required degree and in this vulcanization process the body rubber readily combines with v bers and intermediate drive members have also been disclosed therein and the function of the parts as well as their construction fully described.

Figures 6 and 'l illustrate forms of the cable members similar to that shown in Figure 4. In accordance with Figure 6 the central strand or core strand 28 is spirally wound steel wire and of a larger diameter than the outer strands 29 which are likewise splrally wound steel wires. In Figure 7 the inner strand 30 and the outer strands Il are similarly spirally wound steel wires and the strands are substantially the same size. These cables are exaggerated to illustrate the position occupied by the rubber. The space between the outer strands is very small on small diameter cables such as are used in the track for moderate size tractors. In this instance, the

cables are si, in diameter and in order to give the track a high degree of longitudinal flexibility the required tensile strength is obtained by employing a number of turns of the cable arranged side by side along the pitch driving line of the track as illustrated. This arrangement also ining effect on the finished cable.

In the application of the cables to a track, Figures 8. 9 and 10 show the cables positioned sasso which-m1; s plurality of auch cables u, ave being shown in position and the cross members being held together by a hollow rivet Il threaded for receiving bolts which hold wear plates, guides,

traction cleats, slats and the like. In this modiv tlcation, it will be noted that the rubber covered cable supplies the insulation atA the fastening points, the rubber covering oi' the cable being in contact therewith and also with the edge portions o! the cross members which diverge from the cable in the lengthwise direction thereof.

Figures 11 and l2 and 18, 14 and l5 show further modied forms of such tracks in which the rubber covered iiexible cables provide the tensile strength for the track. In Figures 11 and 12 the anchor members 35 are provided with combined intermediate drive members 36 and guide members 3l secured thereto by bolts or rivets Il. The drive wheel 39 is provided with a flange 40 which cooperates with the central series oi guide plates Il and teeth 4I extending therefrom' which engage the tooth contacting surface oi the intermediate driving members.- In Figures 13, 14 and 15 tread body sections I2 are mounted on cross members 43 in which the cables IB are secured and at the outer ends of these crossmembers are guides M which are secured by bolts l5 thereto. These guide members engage the sides of the driving wheel rim and maintain the track in place in a similar manner as the central guides shown in Figures 11 and 12. In addition to the guide members the ends oi the cross members I3 are provided with projections 48 having sockets Il therein which cooperate with cross driving member aligners 48. These aligners as shown are completely surrounded by rubber and thus do not act to 4limit the longitudinal ilexing of the track. These aligning members are rubber coated, these members being provided withA suillcient rubber to prevent metal to metal contact and wear. The aligners may also be provided with dowel pins 49 either of soft metal or hard rubber which cooperates with the projections 46 for holding the aligners centrally with respect to the sockets Il while molding the tread rubber. l

The cables i6 are particularly adapted for belts and in their application thereto Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate V belts for power transmission. In Figures 16 and 17 one large rubber covered cable 50 is illustrated while in Figure 18 a. plurality of cables 5I arranged laterally are shown. In these belts the pre-covered steel cables are positioned as nearly as possible along the eiIective pitch driving line; in fact, the cable members determine the pitch line of the drive and should be positioned accordingly in the body rubber 52 vulcanized around them.

cables.

trated. In this arrangement the erossmembers or slats l! are clamped by means ot bolts or the like I4 to the tensioning members Il. In this arrangement of the cable tensioning members each has a plurality or rubber covered cable members Il arranged laterally and embedded in the body rubber covering designated IB as the ilnished tensioning members which are vulcanized to the As best shown in Figure 20, the body may be slotted as indicated at 5B to provide seats for the slats 53. This conveyor construction is made in the form of an endless belt and the sprocket teeth drive it through, properly shaping These belts stand extreme tension and operate l at high speeds for power transmission and will operate over comparatively small sheaves. This results in flexing which requires great adhesion qualities in the entire construction. The construction of the belts permits the transmission of the power which would be impossible with previous types of fabric rubber belt constructions which have been used in numerous machines for transmitting low power due to their very limited ten'- sile strength. These rubber covered cables are likewise applicable to belts of at construction or of round cross section and are suitable for elevator cables and the like.

Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a further application of the cable construction as applied to special products such as a slat type conveyor as illus- .the contact points of the slats in a similar manner to the track drive arrangement. This construction provides many advantages over such chain constructions, among others being its ilexibi'lity and strength and capability oi operating at.

much greater speeds.

It will be noted that 1n eachl of the applications employing this cable the adhesion of the rubber to the strands of the flexible steel cable is an essential feature and the body material applied over the cables must likewise coni'bine with the rubber covering on the cables. 'lhe character of this body material may vary in accordance with the application since in vehicle endless track treads the body must necessarily be of suitable composition for that purpose and inother applications as in belts it may be similar thereto. In belts the body may include laminated fabric incorporating the cables and likewise in tread bodies within the scope of this invention.

Several embodiments illustrating my invention having been described, it is apparent that variations in form may be made within the spirit of my invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A iiexible band track for track laying tractors and the like including rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members. rubber covered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered metal members. intermediate driving members on said cross members. and guides for cooperating with the tractor drive wheel secured to the ends of said cross members.

2. A flexible band track for track laying tractors and the like including rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rublber covered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered metal members, guides for cooperating with the tractor drive wheel on said cross members, sockets on the ends of said cross members, and aligners extending into said sockets and interconnecting the ends ci successive cross members.

3. A flexible member for tracks, belts and the like comprising a rubber impregnated andcovered iiexible steel wire cable and a .body of rubber in which said rubber covered cable is embedded and with the rubber cover of which said body rubber unites, said body rubber having a conformation for cooperating with tractor wheels. pulleys and the like as an endless track or belt therefor and with which the outer rubber covering on the cables combines. and wherein the cables are positioned along the pitch drive line ofthe belt.

5. In a track or the like ,adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning element comprising at least a pair of parallel longitudinally extending rubber impregnated and covered wire cables, rubber covered anchor members extending crosswise of said tensioning element at spaced intervals along said tensioning element, a body of rubber in which said rubber covered cable and anchor members are embedded and with which the body of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincides with the driving face of the wheel and a ground engaging surface, a track driving member supported by each of said canso 'wered cross members provided at spaced intervals anchor members, and a track guide for each of said anchor members.

6. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning element comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated and along said tensioning element, a body of rubber in which said rubber covered cable and cross members are embedded and with which the body of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincides with the driving face of the wheel, a track driving element secured to each of said cross members, and a track guide element extending from said track driving elementv toward the curved driving face of the wheel.

10. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning elementV comprising parallel longitudinally extending rubber impregnated and rubberl covered flexible wire cables, rubber covered cross members in clamping engagement with said cables at spaced intervals therealong, a track driving element secured to each of said cross members and a track guide member extending fromeach of said track driving elements toward the driving face of the wheel.

1i. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered ilexible wire cables extending longitudinally of the belt in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other, and a body of rubber in which said cables are embedded and with which the rubber cover of the cables are united, said rubber body having a conformation for cooperating with driving member supported by each of said anchor members, and a track guide for each of saidanchor members.

7. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels of thetype having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning element comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered wire cables extending longitudinally in a common plane and in substantially parallel relationship ywith respect to each other, rubber covered anchormembers extending crosswise of said tensioning element at spaced intervals along said tensioning element, a body of rubber in which said rubber covered cable and anchor members are embedded and with which the body of rubber unites, said body vhaving a curved surface that coincides with the curved driving face of the wheel, a wear plate member removably secured to each of said anchor members, adapted to engage a sprocket wheel to impart movement to the track, and guide lugs cooperating with said wear plates.

8. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels ofthe type having endwise curved driving faces, a plurality of longitudinally extending rubber impregnated and covered flexible wire cables, rubber covered cross members in clamping engagement with said 1ongitudinally extending rubber impregnated and covered flexible wire cables at spaced intervals along said cables, a body of rubber in which said rubber covered cable and rubber covered cross members are embedded and with which the body of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincides with the driving face of the wheel, a track driving member carried by each of said cross members, and a track guide for each of said cross members.

9. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or driven wheels ofthe type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning element comprising a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending rubber covered wire cables, rubber cova rotating surface, said cables being disposed with their axes substantially in the neutral axis of the belt.

12. A conveyor belt comprising a flexible rubber body having a conformation for cooperating with a rotating surface and a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered flexible wire cables embedded in the rubber body and having the rubber cover thereon united with the rubber of said body. said cables extending longitudinally of the belt and disposed with their axes in a plane passing through the neutral axis of the belt, and rubber covered members associated with said body extending transversely to said cables.

13. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality 'of substantially endless'rubber bodies, a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered exible wire cables embedded in and extending longitudtnally of each of said rubber bodies in substantial parallel relationship with respect to each other, the rubber covering on said calbles being united. with the rubber bodies in which the cables are embedded, and members connecting said rubber bodies and extending transversely of the same.

14. A flexible Iband track vior track laying vehicles comprising flexible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the metal tensioning members and to the surfaces of the cross members and lying between adjacent surfaces of the cross` members and the tensioning members, said cross members being formed of pairs of cooperating plates having formed between the same channels for receiving the tensioning members.

15. A flexible band track for track laying .vehicles comprising flexible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber enbcasing and adhering to tha surfaces of the metal tensioning members and t0 the surfaces of the cross members and lying between adjacent surfaces of the cross members and the tensioning members, said cross members being formed of pairs of cooperating plates having formed between the same channels for receiving the tensioning members, the cross members having curved portions at the ends of the channels to increase the spacing between the same and the tensioning members for the reception of rubber to provide cushions for theY tensioning members.

16. A flexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rubber covered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber en'casing and adhering to the surfaces of the rubber covered metal members, said cross members being formed of pairs of cooperating plates having grooves intermediate the ends thereof for receiving and emb-racing the cables, the cross members having portions at the ends of the grooves shaped to increase the spacing between the same and the tensioning members for the reception of rubber to provide cushions for the tensioning members.

17. A flexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising exible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the tensioning members and cross members and lying between adjacent surfaces of said tensioning members and cross members, said cross members being formed of plates having grooves for receiving the tensioning members with the walls of the grooves shaped at the ends thereof to provide convex surfaces increasing the spacing between the edges of the cross members at the ends of the grooves and the tensioning members.

18. A flexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising exible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the tensioning members and cross members and lying'between adjacent surfaces of said tensioning members and cross members, said cross members being formed of cooperating pairs of plates each having semi-cylindrical grooves provided therein for reception of the tensioning members and means for clamping said plates together with the grooves in one plate registering with those in the other.

19. A iiexible band track for trackiaying vehicles comprising fiexible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the tensioning members and cross members and lying between adjacent surfaces of said tensioning members and cross members, said cross members being formed of cooperating pairs of plates each having semi-cylindrical grooves provided therein for reception of the tensioning ments between the tensioning members and the plates at the ends of the grooves.

20. A flexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising iiexible metal tensioning members, cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the tensioning members and cross members, intermediate driving members on said cross members, and laterally spaced upstanding guide flanges carried by said intermediate driving members at each side thereof for cooperating with track carrying wheels of the vehicle.

21. A iiexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rubber covered cross members at intervals thereaiong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the rubber covered tensioning members and cross members, intermediate driving members on said cross members, and guides carried by said intermediate driving members for cooperating with track carrying wheels of said vehicle.

22. A iiexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rubber covered cross members at intervals therealong. tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surfaces of the rubber covered tensioning members and cross members. removable driving members on said cross mem bers intermediate the ends thereof, and laterally spaced guides carried by said removable driving members for cooperating with track carrying wheels of said vehicle.

23. A flexible band track for track laying vehicles comprising rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rubber covered cross members at intervals therealong. tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered tensioning members and cross members, and combined intermediate driving members and guides on said cross members. said driving members and guides having one U-shaped portion for embracing the cross members and an oppositely disposed U-shaped portion forming wheel engaging guides.

24. A exible band track for track laying vehi' cles comprising rubber covered exible metal tensioning members, rubber covered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubber encasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered tensioning members and cross members, and combined intermediate driving members and guides on said cross members, each of said com bined intermediate driving members and guides being in the form of a plate-like member for engaging a cross member with anges extending therefrom on each side of the cross member for embracing the latter and with iianges extending in the opposite direction` therefrom to serve as guides for cooperating with track carrying wheels of the vehicle, and means for securing said combined intermediate driving members andguides to said cross members.

EDWARD C'. MYERS. 

